Chapter 61

The efficiency of Confucian Game Company was extremely high. Just ten minutes after Sun Ran revealed to Yang Tingyong in their conversation that he intended to have the team members enter the world, everything was arranged.

Sun Ran and the magistrate Yang Tingyong were on their way back to the county when they coincidentally encountered Lan Xin and Ke'er, who had rushed over 'dusty and weary.'

The Confucian world was a vast one, and suitable bodies for possession had been chosen long ago. Lan Xin and Ke'er's appearances and figures were almost identical to their real-world counterparts. All four of them were modern people, and their appearances were already outstanding, making them far above the norm in the feudal society of the Ming Dynasty. Their auras were also distinctly different.

Not only that, but they had also prepared weapons for the Thorn Rose team. For example, Lan Xin carried a powerful bow and a pair of willow-leaf sabers, all of which were level-three weapons.

Yang Tingyong immediately recognized the newcomers and said to Sun Ran, "Brother Changqing, are the people coming towards us not your junior sisters?"

Sun Ran nodded and smiled, "Brother Wenchang, you guessed right, they are."

"Truly the appearance of immortals, transcending the mundane!" Yang Tingyong praised sincerely.

It was impossible for them to blend in, as they were not from this world. Yang Tingyong was indeed a man of integrity. Despite being suddenly confronted with such beauty, he did not look at them, maintaining a composed and open demeanor.

As they spoke, Lan Xin and Ke'er approached. Seeing Sun Ran, they both called him "Senior Brother" as they had agreed beforehand. Without further introduction, they bowed to the magistrate beside them, "Greetings, Your Excellency."

These were all accomplished individuals with great abilities, and Yang Tingyong hurriedly returned the bow, saying, "No need for formalities. I have a brotherly bond with your senior brother, so there's no need to worry about such trivialities."

The two women were more than happy to comply and stood behind Sun Ran, listening quietly and appearing very obedient.

On the way, Yang Tingyong continued to converse with Sun Ran. The more they talked, the more he admired the depth of the Taoist's knowledge and his broad learning. Sun Ran could quote poetry, music, and rituals effortlessly, truly a rare and remarkable person.

What Yang Tingyong didn't know was that Sun Ran had lived for tens of thousands of years, and these things were just pastimes for him. After so long, he had memorized everything to perfection.

When they arrived at the county office, a banquet had already been prepared in the rear courtyard. Yang Tingyong invited them, "Brother Changqing, you caught the demon overnight, and the Taoists have traveled far. Wenchang will welcome you and wash away the dust of your journey."

This was a kind gesture, and Sun Ran quickly thanked him with a bow.

At the banquet, Yang Tingyong sat at the head of the table, with Sun Ran to his left, the most honored guest. Beside Sun Ran were Bai Tingxuan, Lan Xin, and Ke'er.

In the Ming Dynasty, etiquette was very strict. If the three women were not outsiders and accomplished individuals, they would not have been allowed to sit at the table. Even Yang Tingyong's wife would have had to stand by the side to serve the guests. This arrangement suited the three women, who were happy to eat quietly and leave the conversation to Sun Ran.

As the wine flowed, Yang Tingyong suddenly asked, "Brother Changqing, Wenchang has a question, but I'm not sure if it's appropriate to ask."

"Feel free to ask," Sun Ran smiled.

Yang Tingyong's gaze swept over the three women and finally settled on Sun Ran. He said enviously, "I have always had a heart for the Tao. Today, seeing your demeanor, my resolve has only grown stronger. I wonder if the Taoists can guide me on the path of the Tao."

Today, he had truly witnessed the demeanor of true Taoists, who could slay demons and live a carefree life. Seeing that the four of them looked far healthier than ordinary people, he believed that the Tao could indeed extend one's lifespan, which made him even more envious.

He had been an official for many years, always treading carefully, and it was exhausting. Recently, the demon problem had left him at a loss, feeling both physically and mentally drained. He began to think that being an official was not worth it.

Influenced by these factors, he decided to give up his official position and seek the Tao.

Sun Ran was taken aback, not expecting this. Yang Tingyong was a major VIP, destined to enter the cabinet and become a prime minister, a person of great talent and vision. How could he become a Taoist? Besides, the reality was not as rosy as Yang Tingyong imagined.

The three women beside him were secretly laughing: "See, you overdid it. How are you going to fix this?"

The game administrator was also monitoring the situation and immediately contacted Sun Ran, "Absolutely do not agree. You must make him abandon this idea."

If Yang Tingyong really went to seek the Tao and failed, he would lose his position and cause trouble for Confucian Game Company when he left the game, leading to a lawsuit.

Seeing Sun Ran hesitate, Yang Tingyong was not disappointed. He took it as a test on the path of the Tao and said firmly, "Brother Changqing, I am sincere in my desire for the Tao. I know that those who seek the Tao must distance themselves from the secular world. I can give up my position."

Sun Ran had already thought of a plan and smiled, shaking his head, "Brother Wenchang, not so. Cultivating the Tao involves both the person and the Tao. You have the heart to seek the Tao, but if the Tao does not come to you, what good is seeking it? In the end, you will likely achieve nothing."

Yang Tingyong had never heard this before. After some thought, he found it hard to refute and asked, disappointed, "Why does the Tao not come to me?"

"Brother Wenchang, your ties to the secular world are not yet severed. Your wife, your children, and your family's hopes for the future—can you abandon them all?" Sun Ran asked.

Yang Tingyong had not considered this much. He was stunned. His family was a noble one, but it had fallen on hard times. It was only in his generation that there was hope for a revival. This hope rested entirely on him. If he went to seek the Tao, how would his father and clan members view him? How would the world view him? He would surely be branded as disloyal, unfilial, and untrustworthy. These accusations were too heavy for him, a scholar who had been raised on Confucian teachings, to bear.

At that moment, he heard his wife cry out behind him, "My lord, what will become of me if you become a Taoist? What will become of Ke'er?" He was startled awake and felt cold sweat on his forehead.

He stood up and bowed to Sun Ran, "Brother Changqing, your words have awakened me from my dream. I am deeply ashamed."

Awakened from his dream? Sun Ran smiled and thought to himself, "I'm just letting you continue your dream, don't overthink it."

Sun Ran took a sip of wine, his expression calm, and said with a smile, "Although you cannot cultivate the Tao, I notice that your vital energy is lacking, likely due to recent overwork. Here, I will teach you a set of health-preserving techniques. If you practice them diligently every day, you can extend your life."

"Really? Please teach me, Brother Changqing," Yang Tingyong was delighted.

Sun Ran took another sip of wine, stood up, and moved to the flower hall. With a slight influence from the wine, he began to practice the health-preserving techniques he often practiced.

His movements, both dynamic and static, were fluid and continuous. Although the techniques were complex, the onlookers could clearly remember them after just one glance, never to forget.

Lan Xin and Ke'er, who had never seen Sun Ran's skills before, were amazed. Bai Tingxuan whispered, "This is a method of transmitting the Tao, a profound and mysterious technique."

In fact, it was not a method of transmitting the Tao, just a common technique, but Bai Tingxuan could not tell the difference.

She looked at Sun Ran with admiration. When a person reaches a certain level, they naturally command respect. Bai Tingxuan, who practiced Taoist techniques, could feel Sun Ran's strength, while Lan Xin and Ke'er were less impressed.

After completing the set of movements, Sun Ran stood still, his eyes shining brightly. He looked at Yang Tingyong and asked with a smile, "Do you remember?"

Yang Tingyong nodded, "I remember."

"Which parts do you remember?" Sun Ran asked again.

"Every movement and every stillness is in harmony with the Tao," Yang Tingyong said. He did not remember Sun Ran's specific movements because they were too complex, but he clearly felt and understood this phrase.

"What is the Tao?" Sun Ran asked again.

"The Tao follows nature," Yang Tingyong answered without hesitation.

Sun Ran clapped his hands and laughed, "Well done, Brother Wenchang, you will surely live a life free of illness and suffering."

Yang Tingyong was already in awe of Sun Ran's abilities and believed his words without a doubt, his gratitude evident.

At this point, Yang Tingyong was completely under Sun Ran's influence. In modern times, he would be a die-hard fan; in feudal society, he would be a devoted believer. If Sun Ran said a few more words, he could even make Yang Tingyong commit suicide to seek the Tao.

Sun Ran returned to the table and began to plan the protection for Yang Tingyong over the next few days.

His plan was meticulous and left no room for error, but it also greatly interfered with Yang Tingyong's private life. Previously, Yang Tingyong might not have fully cooperated, but now he did not hesitate at all.

After everything was arranged, Sun Ran bowed to Yang Tingyong and said with a smile, "Brother Wenchang, I am full and satisfied. I will now go to slay the demon."

"May you return victorious, Brother Changqing."

Sun Ran, somewhat in character, flicked his sleeves, laughed heartily, and strode away, exuding the air of an ancient hero.

Ke'er, with stars in her eyes, clenched her fists and whispered, "My husband is so handsome."

Lan Xin glanced at Yang Tingyong's wife and the maids in the flower hall, all of whom were staring at Sun Ran, some with flushed faces. She muttered to herself, "Why does my man have to show off so much?"

This was exactly what the central AI was thinking. Although Sun Ran intended to change his fighting style, it was not easy to do so. It would take time.

To ensure safety, the AI had to constantly cover up Sun Ran's strong personal characteristics. Simply modifying his resume was not enough; all recorded images of Sun Ran's battles had been secretly altered.

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End of the chapter.